Calif. police beef up patrols in wake of gang wars

Detectives say at least three shootings since March 15 can be attributed to the increased tensions between gangs in the area

The Sacramento Bee

SACRAMENTO — Sacramento police have beefed up patrols and are more aggressively targeting known gang members after an apparent gang war has escalated violence in two south-area neighborhoods.

Detectives say at least three shootings since March 15 can be attributed to the increased tensions between gangs that claim Oak Park and the Mack Road area as their territories. Those incidents left six people injured in just two days; police have described all the victims as being affiliated with gangs.

Though gang detectives typically struggle in getting the community’s cooperation — for fear of retaliation, distrust of law enforcement or both — Sacramento police have found new allies: Clergy leaders. About a dozen churches citywide have agreed to stand with police by passing out fliers prominently displaying five suspects wanted in connection with some of the recent gang violence.